into the parlor. Mr. Wain was formally introduced, and seated himself
on the ancient haircloth sofa, under the framed fashion-plate, while
Mary B. sat by the open door and fanned herself with a palm-leaf fan.

Mis' Molly's impression of Wain was favorable. His complexion was of a
light brown--not quite so fair as Mis' Molly would have preferred; but
any deficiency in this regard, or in the matter of the stranger's
features, which, while not unpleasing, leaned toward the broad mulatto
type, was more than compensated in her eyes by very straight black
hair, and, as soon appeared, a great facility of complimentary speech.
On his introduction Mr. Wain bowed low, assumed an air of great
admiration, and expressed his extreme delight in making the
acquaintance of so distinguished-looking a lady.

"You're flatt'rin' me, Mr. Wain," returned Mis' Molly, with a gratified
smile. "But you want to meet my daughter befo' you commence th'owin'
bokays. Excuse my leavin' you--I'll go an' fetch her."

She returned in a moment, followed by Rena. "Mr. Wain, 'low me to
int'oduce you to my daughter Rena. Rena, this is Ma'y B.'s cousin on
her pappy's side, who's come up from Sampson to git a school-teacher."

Rena bowed gracefully. Wain stared a moment in genuine astonishment,
and then bent himself nearly double, keeping his eyes fixed meanwhile
upon Rena's face. He had expected to see a pretty yellow girl, but had
been prepared for no such radiant vision of beauty as this which now
confronted him.

"Does--does you mean ter say, Mis' Walden, dat--dat dis young lady is
yo' own daughter?" he stammered, rallying his forces for action.

"Why not, Mr. Wain?" asked Mis' Molly, bridling with mock resentment.
"Do you mean ter 'low that she wuz changed in her cradle, er is she too
good-lookin' to be my daughter?"

"My deah Mis' Walden! it 'ud be wastin' wo'ds fer me ter say dat dey
ain' no young lady too good-lookin' ter be yo' daughter; but you're
lookin' so young yo'sef dat I'd ruther take her fer yo' sister."

"Yas," rejoined Mis' Molly, with animation, "they ain't many years
between us. I wuz ruther young myself when she wuz bo'n."

"An', mo'over," Wain went on, "it takes me a minute er so ter git my
min' use' ter thinkin' er Mis' Rena as a cullud young lady. I mought
'a' seed her a hund'ed times, an' I'd 'a' never dreamt but w'at she wuz
a w'ite young lady, f'm one er de bes' families."

"Yas, Mr. Wain," replied Mis' Molly comp